Friends United Meeting’s General Board (North American and Caribbean section) met in Richmond, Indiana last week, October 2–4. They continued to consider the significant decline in FUM’s operating funds, and how that situation might be addressed. Among their exercises was a challenge to think about FUM’s message to the world—what does FUM have to offer the world? Emily Provance, clerk of the Advancement Committee, compiled board responses into this “report.” This is how individual members of the FUM board see FUM’s message to the world.
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During the week, Kelly Kellum and Michael Sherman met with Antoliana Budna, Principal of Belize Friends School, and Stephen Whyte, head of the Belize Friends School board, to review transition plans, confirm school board nominations, and shape a path forward for the ministry. Michael, Antoliana, and Stephen will serve together as the new interim leadership team for FUM in Belize until a director is appointed. The staff also gathered one evening to express appreciation for Oscar’s ministry. One staff member reflected, “Oscar became the father that many of our young people never knew.” That testimony captures the impact of his ministry in Belize.
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It is with heavy hearts that we share the decision to suspend plans for the in-person Joint Triennial gathering originally scheduled for July 6–11, 2026.This difficult decision was reached after much prayerful discernment. Several factors contributed to the decision, the most significant being that U.S. immigration officials have denied visas to the majority of our international members who had applied to attend. Without the full participation of Friends from across our global fellowship, the essence of our Triennial—an event grounded in fellowship, worship, and discernment across cultures—would be diminished.
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Despite the challenges, Esther never gave up on her dream of studying theology. In 2021, she enrolled at Friends Theological College (FTC), Lugulu campus, where she completed a Certificate in Pastoral Ministry. Her commitment, outstanding performance, and desire to uplift her family caught the attention of her lecturers. In 2023, she joined the main campus in Kaimosi for her Bachelor of Theology (modular session), and was awarded the McDonald Widow’s Scholarship to support her studies.Esther describes the modular program as a blessing—it allows her to spend time with her family while also focusing on her education. Speaking through tears of joy, she shared how the scholarship has transformed her life and given her a glimpse of hope for the future. . .
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The Barbara Reynolds Memorial Archives at the Peace Resource Center contain the most extensive collection in the United States of interdisciplinary materials related to nuclear war. Each year, the PRC BRMA receives between 400–450 visitors, including researchers, students, and members of the public. The archive holds documents; creative responses to the atomic bombings, such as poetry, plays, and artistic works; historic poster collections; historic photos; slides; scrapbooks; photo albums; 16-mm films; reel-to-reel audio; cassette tapes; and other artifacts. The PRC and BRMA marked their 50th anniversary in commemoration in August and September. They are housed at Wilmington College, a Quaker college in southwestern Ohio, affiliated with Wilmington Yearly Meeting.
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Girls in Mt. Elgon miss up to five days of school each month due to the lack of sanitary pads. This has led many girls to drop out of school, and enter early marriages, which shifts the financial responsibility of providing for them from their mother to their spouse. Other girls who cannot support themselves are exposed to sexual exploitation. For these reasons, Friends United Meeting Africa Ministries Programme Officer Getry Agizah, funded by a generous donation from USFW, rolled out a training program in Kenya, at the Chebyuk Peace Centre in the Mt. Elgon area, to teach women how to sew reusable menstrual pads.
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